Just loaded my first box of .45 with 45 Auto Rim Brass. I'm using 5.0 grains of HP38 and a 200 grain plated SWC. I found out right away that the OAL is critical. The slightest bit too much and the rounds won't seat properly in my 625 cylinder. Good lesson to learn before going to range and having a problem. Just goes to show, even us old geezers can always learn something.

Needed to edit this one, have since learned that it wasn't the OAL that was causing the problem but rather the crimp, not enough and they won't seat properly! Have really solved the issue now. Load with slight crimp and then go back and apply stronger crimp to each round. They all seat now like they're made for that revolver!

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Ed

Glad you got into loading for 45ARs.

What was the COAL" that didn't work?

I've loaded a lot of different bullets in 45AR for my 325/625s & I've not encounter any length/seating issues even with 250gr bullets. A 200gr bullet should be very forgiving too.

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Waiting for the break of day

I think the shape of the plated SWC may have had something to do with it. Anything above 1.220 gave me a problem. That's where I tried to keep them.

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Ed

Could be a couple of reasons for your reloads not seating properly in the chambers. The brass may be thicker or the case web extends further towards the case mouth, the result will be loaded cartridges with a slight bulge near the base of the bullet. You might also have tight chambers. Combine tight chambers with thick brass and you can have real chambering issues.

I ran into this with a Bar-Sto "drop-in" 1911 barrel. The chamber had been reamed to near minimum spec, which is good for accuracy and worked fine with factory ammo. When I shot cast lead bullets of 0.452" diameter, many of those cartridges would not quite seat and some would get stuck in the chamber. Federal brass did not have this problem, but Federal brass is pretty thin. I ended up having the chamber re-reamed and the issues disappeared.

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VCDL, GOA, NRA

I'm using Starline brass and the bullets are .451 in diameter. I haven't experienced this problem using 45 ACP reloads in moon clips, same bullets and same brand brass. This is my first experience with the 45 Auto Rim and I'll see what happens when I'm able to get my hands on some cast .451 bullets. I like to load the 200 grain round nose flat tip but they're just about impossible to find right now.

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Ed

My standard load for 45 ACP revolvers is 5.5 WW232/HP38, WLP, 200 gr RNFP. I use it in my 625 and 1917 Brazilian Contract (1937)

Ivan

Check the measurements of your loaded cartridge against SAAMI specs.

Ivan, I really like the 200 grain RNFT like you're using but I can't find any right now. Do you have a good source?

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Ed

I have two, but they are both in Ohio! I think the fright would eat you alive!

But a company I used from California is Bear Creek Bullets. Their's are Molly coated I bought several 45-70 300 grain RNFP and use them in 45-90 as well as 45-70, I had several samples of other sizes and they all shot very well! I like that they offer several diameters in most bullets. So you can have the exact same bullet in .451, .452, & .454! I use 38-55 bullets in .377, but they have them clear up around .387 or even bigger.

Ivan

ETA: I never bought a mold for the 45 RNFP, but I have them in 44 & 38. Mine are Lyman and it is a very easy style bullet to cast! I think Lee makes molds in this design too. (at about 25 to 33% the price!) When I cast I usually use Wheel Weights, they are one or two points softer than Lyman #2 and a few points harder than 20:1 (lead:tin). This bullet works well in single and double action revolvers as well as 1911's, as well as 45 Long Colt loadings.

Thanks for the lead Ivan, I'm going to check out Bear Creek. I used to cast bullets a very long time ago and really don't want to get into that again.
Thanks again,

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Ed